Suwannee County Shelter Increase

Published April 12th, 2009

The American Red Cross chapter in Live Oak is expecting more cots and people at their shelter after the Easter holiday. Ian Dyar, the Emergency Services Director at the American Red Cross, says he isn't sure how many people will show up, but he does say to expect more floods, evacuations, and an increase of people looking for a temporary home as the water rises.

Karen is a flood victim currently staying at the Live Oak shelter. She was at the beach with her three daughters just four days ago. When she returned home, she was advised by officials to leave her house. They told her she would be "trapped...and [she] didn't like the way that sounded, being pregnant with three children."

Dyar says he is seeing more people like Karen and her family come to the shelter.

He says, "A lot of people are starting to come back and they are finding they cannot get to their homes, so we have shelters open for those people who are coming into an unforeseen situation."

The Live Oak shelter at the Suwannee Agricultural Colosseum works around the clock. Volunteers prepared 15 more cots for tonight. They are expecting another truckload later for people like Karen and her family because they want them to feel welcome at the shelter.

Dyar says floods are on the rise in Suwannee County. Water levels have reached their peak in Hamilton County.